NWH_Opioid Awareness_042819

Opioid Awareness Sunday, April 28, 2019

INSIDE: •Opioids...What’s the Fuss All About?............. 2 Viquar Mundozie, MD, FAAFP

•Addiction during pregnancy......................... 4 Northwestern Medicine

•Fostering a Recovery Ready Community...... 5 McHenry County Mental Health Board

We’re Leading the Fight against Opioids in McHenry County!

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Paid for by Patrick Kenneally

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, April 28, 2019

| OPIOID AWARENESS

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Opioids ... What’s This Fuss All About?

Statistics: Opioid addiction has grown in the past decade, particularly in the past two years.

It’s a national epidemic. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimated there were more than 72,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017.

Of those overdose deaths, the sharpest increase came from synthetic opioids. The number of opioid-related deaths jumped from 20,000 in 2016 to more than 29,000 in 2017.

The second highest number of drug overdose deaths in 2017 totaled nearly 16,000 from heroin.

Natural and semi-synthetic opioid overdose deaths totaled third highest, with nearly 15,000 in 2017. Methadone overdose deaths came at the bottom of the list, with about 3,200 deaths in 2017.

The NIDA defines opioids as a class of drug that includes heroin, synthetic opioids, and pain relievers that are legally available by prescription. About 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for pain misuse them, according to the NIDA. The numbers of deaths related to opioids misuse, including over-dose deaths, are significantly on the rise especial in males.

Viquar Mundozie, MD, FAAFP Board Certified in Family Medicine Mercyhealth Harvard South 348 S. Division St Harvard, IL 60033 (815) 943-1122

How opioids work: Opioids effect mainly the part of the brain called the frontal lobe and impairs one’s ability for rational thinking and decision-making, putting individuals in a vicious cycle of addiction. Often a misconception with opioid addiction is that it’s a matter of having the will-power to stop using it, but addiction should not be viewed this way because it’s also a physical condition that affects our brain and every other vital organ in our body.

• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns • Selling personal items like games or iPhones • Using a lot of slang terms when talking with friends

The care needed: If you or someone you know needs help, here are some things you can do, depending on the patients’ health status.

You can have the patient see their primary care doctor who can provide a structured management plan based on individual health issues. He/she might refer you to a The look-out: Here are some signs you can pain specialist, addiction specialist and/or a look for to detect someone who needs help. behavioral counselor. You can also call the Physical and health-related warning signs • Red eyes or pupils larger/smaller than usual Illinois Department of Health Services hot line at (800) 843-6154. In an emergency, call 911 or • Runny nose go to the nearest ER. • Loss of interest in physical appearance Naloxone is a medication you can use, • Tremors if you’re familiar with it, in an emergency • Slurred speech or impaired coordination overdose. Always ask for help from family, • Pale complexion friends and resources in your community who • Yellowish or brownish stains on fingers can provide emotional support, care and hope Behavioral signs throughout the process.

• Skipping class The path to recovery can be a challenging • Lowering grades process, but there are ways to seek help and • Borrowing money or suddenly having hope, to enjoy all the good that life has to offer. extra cash

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In addition, the States’ Attorney’s Office and local police agencies, in collaboration with the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition, the Mental Health Board, and Northwestern Medicine, helped spearheaded the A Way Out and Narcan programs. A Way Out allows anyone in the County struggling with substance abuse to access treatment through most police departments in McHenry County. To date, A Way Out has linked nearly 250 people to rehabilitation services.

Narcan is the opioid overdose antidote. It is an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors and quickly reverse and block the effects of opioids. It can be administered by anyone with minimal training as a nasal spray or injection. The Narcan program equips all police officers with Narcan so that they quickly treat an overdose in the event that they are first responders. Narcan is also available at no cost for community members.

As with overdoses, we have begun to see Narcan administrations decrease. In 2017, there were 52 police administrations. In 2018 there were 44. This year, there have only been about 10.

The recent reduction in overdose deaths is a credit to the dozens of people in McHenry County who sacrifice daily because they know that no one in a community is unaffected by addiction. However and as evidenced by the worsening crisis in nearby counties, the opioid epidemic has not yet loosened its grip. Despite the 2018 reductions, the overdose death rate in McHenry County remains at unacceptably high levels and could very well begin increasing again. Constant vigilance and management will continue to be a priority of the State’s Attorney’s Office until our goal of zero opioid overdose deaths is achieved.

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Addiction Medicine. Saving Lives.

• Sunday, April 28, 2019

Despite the fact that we saw nearly a 40% reduction in drug overdose deaths in 2018, more people still died of an overdose last year than suicides and car accidents combined. Numbers, mercifully, continue to decrease in 2019. This year, As of April 23, 2019, we have lost only eight members of our community to an overdose death. As of this time last year, we had lost 13 and as of this time in 2017, we had lost 25.

Notably, we have achieved these reductions despite the fact that death rates from opioid overdoses in surrounding counties have increased.

In 2018, Lake, Kane, Will, Winnebago, and Boone Counties saw its “opioid-related” overdose death rate increase when compared to 2017.

McHenry County’s continued success is the result of the unprecedented efforts on the part of law enforcement, courts, the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition, the McHenry County Mental Health Board, Northwestern Medicine, and many community agencies.

In collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, the State’s Attorney’s Office has charged, by far, more drug dealers whose sales resulted in another’s death with drug-induced homicide than any other county in Illinois. These charges incapacitate local dealers, especially those transporting opioids into McHenry County from places like Rockford and Chicago, thereby reducing supply, use, and mortality.

Our drug-induced homicide model is becoming the gold-standard in the State and is being emulated by other counties, including Cook, see https://youtu.be/xgQ18vrWOVY.

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OPIOID AWARENESS | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Reductions in overdose deaths continue in 2019

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, April 28, 2019

| OPIOID AWARENESS

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Nurse National Prescription training Drug Take Back Day addresses stigma of addiction during pregnancy Saturday, April 27

Every day, more than 90 Americans die after overdosing on opioids. As the prescription opioid epidemic continues to worsen, Northwestern Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago are coming together with the Drug Enforcement Administration to host collection sites for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused opioids and other prescription medications.

Northwestern Medicine will host five sites for community members to visit from 10 am – 2 pm on Saturday, April 27 Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital 1302 North Main Street Sandwich, Illinois 60548

The newsUnused of a pregnancy can bring medications thrown in the trash can be retrieved and Additional locations: excitementabused, and anxiety to any woman as sheare flushed, they can contaminate or illegally sold. If they plans for a the major life change hopes for of unused drugs saves lives and water supply.and Proper disposal Lavin Family Pavilion Driveway a healthy baby.

If thethe mother is addicted to protects environment. (on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus) to behavioral health and substance use at “Our team members are committed opioids, the news may also cause feelings of 259 East Erie Street Northwestern Medicine. “I worked with Molly providing their patients excellent care, and shame as she realizes how her addiction may 60611 DeGroh, an obstetrics nurse at McHenry Chicago, Illinois when they learn more about the disease of affect her newborn’s health.

Please note, sharps and liquids will not be accepted, Hospital, to develop the training because addiction they increase their ability to identify A program at Take Northwestern and Back DayMedicine is for community members, not for Northwestern Medicine our community has seen an increase in the with patients who suffer from this disease,” McHenry Hospital and Northwestern Medicine commercial organizations.

Care St. Charles number of people who are addicted to Convenient Pasternack said.

Huntley Hospital teaches nurses and physicians (onour the east side of the parking lot by Kirk Road) opioids. We want to continuously increase Kirsten Glaw, a labor and delivery nurse at how to support addicted mothers to ensure 2900 understanding about the disease of addiction Foxfield Road, Suite 100 Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, said they get the highest of care throughout For more level information on prescriptiondrug misuse, and how it affects mothers and babies.” St. Charles, Illinois 60174 the training helped her better connect with their pregnancies and beyond. The training visit www.dea.gov.

To begin each stigma training session, Northwestern Medicine patients who are addicted to opioids. addresses the stigma of addiction and helps Pasternack administers a survey to help Lake Forest Hospital “When I learned how my values about employees understand how their own values attendees gauge their personal biases Bays Medical Building Entrance substance abuse could affect the care I and beliefsParticipating may affect the care they provide organizations: about addiction and treatment. She then 900 North Westmoreland Road provided, I wanted to be sure I was leading their patients. talks about the science behind addiction, Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 as I cared for these mothers with compassion “Many pregnant women who are addicted which helps physicians and nurses gain a and babies,” Glaw said. “The training helped to opioids experience so much guilt about deeper understanding of what patients are Northwestern Medicine me understand that mothers who are addicted their addiction, and it can cause them to experiencing when they are addicted to Central DuPage Hospital doinglotthe bestthe they can,onand like all the avoid the prenatal treatment that is best for opioids. At the end of each session, participants (in the westare parking across street moms we care for, they want what is best for them and their babies,” said Judy Pasternack, take the survey again to see how their Winfield Road) professional development specialist for perspective has changed. their babies.”

25 North Winfield Road

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By: Scott Block Executive Director McHenry County Mental Health Board

EMPOWERING MINDS

TRANSFORMING LIVES

CRISIS & CARE 815-455-2828 • www.MC708.org SM-CL1653485

• Sunday, April 28, 2019

This past February, the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition and its various partners including the McHenry County Mental Health Board gathered at McHenry County College to share information around the State of Addiction in McHenry County.

During the State of Addiction address, attendees had the opportunity to hear from several speakers providing insights and updates from their respective positions in various sectors including treatment professionals, recovery advocates, law enforcement professionals, and government agencies.

The wide representation from public and private agencies alike, illustrates that addiction knows no bounds and it takes all sectors working together to foster a recovery ready community.

Fortunately, for McHenry County, we have the community resolve and resources available to help us in this ongoing fight.

Resolve and resources that are often lacking and desired in other communities throughout the state such as a dedicated substance abuse coalition, a state’s attorney willing to take on addiction in and out of the courtroom, various treatment providers who are devoted to their practices, a strong 12 step and peer recovery culture, and of course, the McHenry County Mental Health Board created and supported by the community to provide funding and foresight necessary to plan, maintain, and strengthen community responses to addiction.

Make no mistake about it; McHenry County has a comprehensive set of strategies in place including prevention programs, various outpatient treatment programs, and recovery support services to help people find their path to recovery and maintain recovery in our community From lifesaving efforts including law enforcement and public access to naloxone, school based prevention services, drug take back programs, adult and youth outpatient treatment services, medication assisted treatment, the drug court, recovery homes and sober living opportunities, many strategies are deployed.

Of course some strategies may need to be bolstered and enhanced, but no part of the continuum of services has gone unaddressed.

Results like a 30% reduction in overdose deaths when comparing 2017 to 2018 are optimistic and cause to celebrate, but much work remains to be done.

Last year 54 of our neighbors, families, friends, and community members lost their lives to overdose, stigma still exits, barriers to

treatment still exist, inadequate reimbursement rates from the state still exit, and the need for structured recovery living programs far outweigh the current inventory of available beds.

But our community commitment is strong, the resources we control are allocated responsibly and effectively, McHenry County Leadership is engaged, and the community is well aware of the toll addiction takes on all people and local public, private government and healthcare systems As a member of the community, I ask that you stay informed, engaged, and active in the ongoing fight against addiction as we all play a role in making our community safer and healthier.

OPIOID AWARENESS | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

Fostering a Recovery Ready Community

Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, April 28, 2019

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Love Through Addiction 6 steps to help your loved one get treatment

By Lisa Iannucci CTW Features A few weeks ago, actress Amanda Bynes announced that she was four years sober, combated the drug addictions that derailed her career and is ready for a Hollywood comeback.

She admitted, in an interview with Paper magazine, that she was high on Adderall on the set of her last movie, Hall Pass in 2010.

She quit that movie and proceeded to make very provocative and questionable Twitter posts before publicly announcing that she was retiring from acting.

She continued her downward spiral of drug use before deciding that she wanted to get well, but openly credits her parents for “helping me get back on track.”

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, you may want to help them get back on track too, but how do you do it?

“If you are concerned about a family member or loved one who uses opioids, urge them to talk to whoever prescribed their medications.”

Tammy Slater Assistant professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

1. Urge them to talk to their doctor

“If you are concerned about a family member or loved one who uses opioids, urge them to talk to whoever prescribed their medications,” says Tammy Slater, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland.

Their doctor might be able to provide medications to help treat their addiction.

“Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease,

much like diabetes or heart disease. There is an evidence-based approach for treating opioid addiction using medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration along with counseling and other supportive service,” says Slater. “Prescribers such as nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants who are specially trained to provide treatment for opioid addiction can prescribe medications, such as buprenorphine and naltrexone.”

2. Be honest

In some cases, a good long talk might pull at their heartstrings and encourage them to seek treatment. “People make the decision to enter treatment based on their assessment of how their addiction is affecting their life, including their family and the people around them that they care about,” says Dr. Stefan

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6. Understand you can’t fix it

3. Stay present, with limits

Instead of using tough love, Kertesz suggests that staying present in the addict’s life is very important, but setting limits with them is a must.

“Tell them you’ll bail them out of jail, but won’t give them money, or that you can talk to them anytime they want, but can’t do something else,” he says. “Drawing boundaries while you remain connected is a way to walk the line and provide love, but make it clear that there is a problem and that they need to get help.”

4. Provide resources

Finally, your loved one might not know where to turn for rehabilitation, so provide them with a list of resources, including local therapists. Your list can include the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (www.niaaa.nih.gov; 301-

443-3860); and The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, a part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (24-hour National Treatment Referral Hotline (1-800-662HELP and www.samhsa.gov/about-us/who-weare/offices-centers/csa).

5. Find a treatment center

“If you have money and can get your loved one into treatment and they are open to it, it’s a possibility but just know that it’s not a guaranteed fix,” says Kerstesz, who recommends the research

• Sunday, April 28, 2019

Kertesz, University of Alabama at Birmingham professor and addiction specialist. “Reiterate how important it is to them, and how harmful it is to their relationships with their loved ones, that they seek out help for their addiction.”

Forget about getting tough: For years, Kertesz says that we were schooled that addicts needed tough love and rejection in order to show them they have a problem and get them help. That’s not the case today. “There is no evidence that a highly confrontational intervention with a threat is particularly helpful and, for some people, it spirals them along,” he says.

It’s hard to watch a loved one suffer from addiction and as much as you may want to help, it’s not up to you and it might not work. They may refuse to go to treatment and refuse your support.

“We don’t have the power to make the recovery happen,” says Kertesz. “Family has more power than doctors, but unless you have the power of the law on your side, you are waiting for the individual to recalibrate, but that doesn’t always work. In some cases, if they are suffering severe memory loss because of years of drinking, they can’t even remember their own intentions.”

Kertesz says to remain loving, direct and clear with your loved one and hopefully, like Amanda Bynes, they will get help and ultimately succeed in their recovery.

OPIOID AWARENESS | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com

of addictive behavior by author William Miller.

In his book, “Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People to Change Addictive Behavior”(The Guilford Press, 2012), Miller writes, “Making a change, however, does not guarantee that the change will be maintained. Obviously, human experience is filled with good intentions and initial changes, followed by minor (“slips”) or major (“relapses”) steps backward. Maintaining a change may require a different set of skills and strategies than were needed to accomplish the change in the first place.”

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Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com • Sunday, April 28, 2019

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It is our honor to care for your health care needs, at every stage of life.

For help choosing the right doctor for you, call (888) 39-MERCY. Most insurance plans accepted.

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